Foldable bookholder



Dec. 24, 1968 cRONlNGER 3,417,954

FOLDABLE BOOKHOLDER Filed Nov. 21. 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTOR. AR THUR 6. C RON/N65 R 6/9 42 BY Mn ATTORNEYS 5 A? G. CRONINGER 3,

FOLDABLE BOOKHOLDER Filed Nov. 21, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. L, ARTHUR G. CRO/V/NGEI? A TTORNE Y5 United States Patent 3,417,954 FOLDABLE BOOKHOLDER Arthur G. Croniuger, 36 C St. NW., Miami, Okla. 74354 Filed Nov. 21, 1966, Ser. No. 595,831 6 Claims. (Cl. 248-462) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to portable copy and bookholders. More particularly, this invention relates to portable devices which are placeable upon a table or other similar structure to hold a book or similar copy material in an inclined position while at the same time providing adequate front support for the book or copy material. The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a pair of triangular end members separated by pivotally attached and interlocking frame members so that the frame members may be interlocked to provide a sturdy support for the structure. Means are provided on the front face of the triangular members to support a book thereon, and swingable finger members are provided so that when a book is in an open position the pages are held in position by the finger members. The invention further includes a plate-like adapter member positionable upon the structure to receive thereon and hold in proper alignment, papers or other non-rigid material.

Present bookholding devices generally are cumbersome, highly complicated devices which provide their support only by the manipulation of numerous parts, while usually the purpose of these present holders is merely to provide a place upon which an opened book may rest. Usually, these devices do not provide adequate means for holding in proper position the pages of any book, magazine, pamphlet, or similar reading material positioned on the holder. Where such means is incorporated in the holder, the arrangement usually becomes cumbersome and inconvenient.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a foldable frame structure of simple construction, efficient to use, and which will provide means for holding a book, paper or manuscript at a suitable angle for reading, thus freeing the readers hands.

Another object of this invention is to provide a foldable bookholder which is simple in construction, sturdy in use, efiicient to use, so that the reader may be in a healthful position while using the invention.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a foldable bookholder which is capable of supporting in a properly inclined position the book or paper being read so that the reader may pursue his reading while in a comfortable position.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a sturdy foldable book and manuscript support wherein the components can be arranged in a neat, compact structure when not in use.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a bookholder according to this invention shown in open extended position with an opened book shown thereon in phantom.

3,417,954 Patented Dec. 24, 1968 FIGURE 2 is a bookholder according to this invention shown in folded position.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a modified form of a bookholder according to this invention with a large oversized book, such as a land record book shown in phantom thereon,

FIGURE 4 is a rear perspective view of a bookholder according to this invention showing an adapter component in position thereon.

FIGURE 4A is a side elevational view of a position of an adapter component of this invention showing a paper holding clip in position.

FIGURE 4B is a fragmentary side elevational view of a modification of the invention showing another form of supporting members.

The foldable bookholder of this invention preferably comprises a framework made of fiat members and constructed so that two substantially triangular shaped supporting book members are joined by a plurality of flat, pivotally connected, interlocking linking members which, because of their orientation and interlocking structure, provide firm support for the bookholder. The triangularly shaped end members include book rest members, extending substantially normally therefrom, and front extension members which provide means for attachment of thin, spring wire members biased toward the triangular end members for the purpose of holding in proper alignment book pages or manuscripts resting upon the bookholder. Modification of the invention includes a centrally positioned extension member which provides additional support for large books such as land record books, and other modifications which includes a flat plate-like adapter for supporting copies of separate pages or thin manuscripts.

Referring now to the figures in detail, and particularly to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, in which a foldable bookholder is shown as comprising two identical triangular end members, each formed of a first, second, and third frame member, '10, 12 and 14, respectively, with the end members situated relative to each other in substantially planar parallel arrangement. Each end member has its frame member 14 elongated outwardly to form a front extension -16 curved back on itself by leg 18 to form foot 20. Adjacent the juncture of frame member 10, frame member 14, and front extension 16, is a forwardly projecting rest member 22 which, in combination with frame member 10, cooperates to provide support for a book positioned upon the bookholder. The two end members are joined by a first and a second pivotally attached linking member. Each of the linking members includes a first arm member 24 pivotally attached to the first end member by means of a rivet 26 and a second arm member 28 pivotally attached to the second end member by a machine !bolt 30 and nut 32. First arm member 24 is pivoted to second arm member 28 by a rivet 34, and first arm member 24 includes a hook 36 which interlocks with a detent 38 positioned on second arm member 28. Arm members 24 and 28 provide flat broad surfaces which interact pivotally not only with each other but also with the flat surfaces of frame members 12 and 14 in order to provide rigid support for the end members. The direction in which the two linking members are oriented is particularly important since the arm members thus move pivotally in different planes, and thus provide additional support for the bookholder. A wire finger 40 is pivotally attached to the front of each leg 18 and is curved so as to be biased toward each end member when a book is in position on the bookholder. When not being used, fingers 40 may be pivoted downwardly out of the way so that a book may be placed on the bookholder or may be removed therefrom. The wire fingers 40 provide sufficient force to hold the pages of a book in place and yet are thin enough to be used without obscuring any substantial part of the printed page. For further support and to permit the bookholder to be held firmly in place, the end members are provided with rubber suction cups 42.

FIGURE 3 describes a modification of the invention in which an additional supporting component is added to the basic unit in order to provide support for oversized books, such as the usual large volumes which hold land records and the like. Removably attached to the front of each of the end members is an elongated extension arm 44 held in place by a machine bolt 46 secured by a conventional nut at the back thereof. Extension arm 44 includes inwardly directed shoulders 48 to which is attached an upwardly extending upright central frame portion 50 removably attached thereto by a machine bold 52 and its cooperating nut. To give additional support to the extension arm 44 and upright frame 50, a chain 54 is stretched across the rear of the end members, that is, from openings 56 behind second frame members '12, to openings 58. Chain 54 may be removably secured between openings 56 and openings 58 by a conventional snap hook, or it may be hooked in each opening by a simple swivel hook. The purpose of chain 54 is to provide additional support for extension arm 44 to prevent extension arm 44 from being unduly strained when excessively heavy books are positioned upon the bookholder. If the ends of extension arm 44 are thrust forward by the weight of a heavy book upon the central portion of arm 44, the tautness of chain 54 will counteract the forward movement of the ends of extension arm 44. With a large book positioned upon the bookholder and resting upon extension arm 44 in upright frame 50, a second chain 60 is secured in opening 62 and is positionable across the front of the first frame members to a slot 64 in the other end of arm 44, so that chain 60 may be removably positioned in slot 64 after it is stretched tautly across the pages of a large book put in place on the holder. Slots 64 provide for a quick and easy adjustment of the chain 60 to hold the large pages in place.

FIGURE 4 describes a flat adapter plate 66 positioned upon the bookholder. Adapter plate 66 is intended for use with thin pamphlets, individual pages, or manuscripts which require additional vertical support. Adapter plate 66 is removably attachable to the hookholder by means of pivotal retainers 68 adjacent each edge of plate 66 which lock securely behind frame members 10 on each of the end members. The bottom of plate 66 rests upon rest member 22 and includes a shoulder 70 which provides additional support for the adapter plate 66 and also serves as a supporting means for pamphlets or papers positioned thereon. Near to or adjacent the upper edge of plate 66 is a coil spring retainer clip 72 which holds securely papers placed on adapter plate 66. It is seen that the free end of coil spring 72 is curved away from plate 66 so that papers placed under spring 72 do not get caught by the end of the spring. .It should be noted, too, that adapter plate 66 may be used with either modification of the invention, that is, the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1 or the embodiment shown in FIGURE 3. When used with the embodiment of FIGURE 3, adapter plate 66 rests against extension arm 44.

FIGURE 4B describes another embodiment of the invention by which additional height is given to either of the embodiments shown in FIGURE 1 or FIGURE 3. In this modification instead of the suction cups 44 being attached directly to leg 18 and frame member 14, semicircular risers 74 of substantially the same conformation are attached to leg 18 and frame 14. Then, suction cups 42 are attached to the bottom of each riser 74. Thus, adjustment can be made for the bookholder where necessary because of varying height of the desk or table with which the bookholder is used.

Since many different embodiments of this invention may be made without departing from the spiritand scope thereof, it is to be understood that the specific embodiments described in detail herein are not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed:

1. A foldable bookholder comprising:

a pair of triangular end members disposed in parallel planar relationship, said end members having substantially horizontal front extension and also having book rest members extending substantially normally outward therefrom adjacent the lower front side of said end members,

a first pair of linking members pivotally and lockably interconnecting said end members, said first pair of linking members interconnecting a corresponding side of each of said end members and including a first arm member extending from a first end member, said first arm member having a hook therein, and a second arm member extending from a second end member, said second arm member having a detent therein to lockably receive said hook,

a second pair of linking members pivotally interconnecting said end members, said second pair of linking members interconnecting second corresponding sides of each of said end members and including a first arm member extending from said first end member, said first arm member having a hook therein, and a second arm member extending from said second end member, said second arm member having a detent therein to lockably receive said hook, and

a spring wire pivotally attached to'each of said front extensions and biased toward said adjacent end members.

2. A foldable bookholder as described in claim 1 including:

a flat plate-like adapter positionable upon said bookholder wherein the lower edge of said adapter is in contact with and rests upon said book rest members, the rear surface of said adapter is in contact with and is supported by said end members, said adapter including a pivotally attached retainer adjacent each side edge movable to a position behind said end member to hold said adapter in place, and a coil spring clip adjacent the upper edge of said adapter.

3. A foldable bookholder as described in claim 1 includa plurality of substantially semi-circular risers removably attachable to the lower side of each of said end members to provide added height for said bookholder.

4. A foldable bookholder as described in claim 1 including:

a horizontal extension arm removably positionable across and extending beyond said end members, said extension arm joining the front legs of each of said end members, and

an upright central frame portion removably positionable upon said extension arm and between said end members, and extending beyond the top extremity of said end members.

5. A foldable bookholder as described in claim 4 including:

a first chain member removably and adjustably extendable from a first end of said extension arm to a second end of said extension arm behind said extension arm, and

a second chain member removably and adjustably extendable from said first end of said extension arm to said second end of said extension arm in front of said extension arm.

6. A foldable bookholder as described in claim 4 ineluding:

a plurality of substantially semi-circular risers removably attachable to the lower side of each of said end members to provide added height for said bookholder.

6 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 639,370 12/1899 Gary 248462 1,840,620 1/1932 Dennis 248462 CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Primary Examiner.

FRANK DOMOTOR, Assistant Examiner. 

